Chester teacher charged with child endangerment and luring after texting investigation
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Chester teacher charged with child endangerment and luring after texting investigation

CHESTER, NJ – A Black River Middle School teacher has been charged after investigators said she exchanged inappropriate text messages with a 13-year-old former student over the course of more than a year.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll announced the arrest of 45-year-old Lorri Ann Willis of Hackettstown, who is accused of engaging in sexual and suggestive text conversations with the child.

Authorities said the Chester Police Department first received a report of possible misconduct earlier this month, prompting an immediate joint investigation.


Key Points

  • Teacher charged with endangering the welfare of a child and luring in Morris County
  • Alleged inappropriate text messages sent to a 13-year-old former student between June 2024 and October 2025
  • Willis suspended from her position and detained pending court proceedings

Investigation launched after report to police

Police say Willis, a teacher at Black River Middle School, allegedly began contacting the child after the student left her class, continuing the exchanges for more than a year. The texts reportedly contained sexual and suggestive content, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

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Charges and detention

Following the investigation, Willis was charged on October 20 with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of second-degree luring. Under the state’s Criminal Justice Reform Act, she is being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance.

School and community response

Officials confirmed Willis has been suspended from her teaching position. The Chester Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit led the investigation. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200.

Prosecutor’s statement on charges

Prosecutor Carroll reminded the public that the charges are accusations and that Willis is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Phil Stilton

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